New Jersey wildfire torches 300 acres, forces evacuations of nearby homes

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - An uncontrolled wildfire burning in a New Jersey forest has scorched at least 300 acres and briefly forced over a dozen homes to evacuate on Wednesday.

The New Jersey Forest Fires Service said the fire broke out around 2 p.m. in Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area near Stump Tavern Road in Jackson Township.

Homes on both sides of Stump Tavern Road were evacuated, and more than two dozen buildings were said to be threatened by the flames.

"I have never had to be evacuated before," homeowner Jean Paul Bergeron told FOX 29.

As of Thursday morning, the Forest Fire Service says the fire is only 40% contained, and it has impacted at least 300 acres with six structures threatened.

Foresters say the historically dry stretch of weather has made wooded areas virtual tinderboxes, allowing wildfire to spark at any moment.

It's unclear at this time what sparked the wildfire.